Abby has done it again! The Happy Ever After Playlist SLAYED me. I had all of the feels for this one. It is maybe even better than The Friend Zone if that is possible?!?! I need for Jason to be a real man because he is INCREDIBLE. The originality of the characters and the crazy chemistry of the Jason and Sloan was so great. Abby deals with grief in a perfect way and it was just such a great book that I won't forget anytime soon.

I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved The Happy Ever After Playlist and gobbled it up in one sitting. It's a breed apart from the run-of-the-mill romance - there are compelling characters, an interesting plot, and twists and turns that I did not see coming. I even (can you believe this) skipped over some of the steamy parts because I wanted to know how Abby Jimenez was going to wrap up the conflict and get to the HEA ending. The writing is fresh, the characters are real, and the playlist is excellent. I highly recommend this book and look forward to selling it in my bookstore.

I had all the feels: laughing, crying, steamy and friendship.

Sloan is grieving her fiancé ,Brandon, after his motorcycle accident two years ago. On the day she goes to visit his grave an abandoned dog hops thru her sunroof.

When the owner finally turns up, she finds herself texting and talking to him. Could she put herself out there again for another man? What about once she finds out who this hunky man really is?

5 stars ...ALL THE STARS!!

Thank you to the publisher @readforeverpub for my netgalley widget to read this title early!!! I have been (im)patiently awaiting the arrival of Jimenez's HEAP as soon as I closed The Friend Zone last May! I couldn't wait to get my hands on (or, eyes on) this book! I was shocked to find out this was actually Jimenez's FIRST book she wrote, prior to TFZ! And to think she wrote this "for fun", never thinking it would be published!

I honestly can't decide which book I loved more! Obviously TFZ is all Kristen, and HEAP is all Sloan, so I guess I can love them equally.

I absolutely loved Jason & Sloan's story. As I read through the chapters I felt all the emotions: love, fear, angst, distress, forgiveness, etc. A lot of their story reminded me of falling in love myself, and I was able to relate to all those fears and emotions of resistance and apprehension that Sloan felt upon meeting Jason. There were times I honestly didn’t know if they would make it, or not, but without giving anything else away, I will leave with you this: THE ENDING IS PERFECT 😊

Add this to your #TBR list ASAP if it’s not already on it! This is out 4/14/2020!
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If you read THE FRIEND ZONE, you know that Jimenez’s writing is compulsively readable and nigh unputdownable. So why I decided to pick it up at nine PM on a work night and stay up almost until midnight to finish and then write this review.. well, it wasn’t a decision, I just lived it. I don’t regret it now but we’ll speak later as to how I feel in the morning.

Additionally, if you’ve read Jimenez’s debut, you know that going into this one is going to be emotional. The events of the first book in this universe, events that directly change Sloan’s world, are a lot. And we open up two years after that event and Sloan is.. not doing well.

While we eventually get to a place where there’s a new love interest and there’s flirting and connection and sweetness, the grief doesn’t poof disappear. I really appreciated the balance that the author had between taking steps to move on — initially nothing to do with the romance — and the hesitations, the relapses, the moments that required her to pause and step back. It felt natural and not overblown and also heightened the intensity of the romance because this powerful connection had a counterweight of.. not sadness but maybe appreciation? Hard to say. But the early chapters? I devoured. I delighted.

Later there is some drama with an ex, the record label, a harsh tour schedule, and other than a few blips, I thought all the speed bumps were pretty acceptable. If you’ve read any rockstar romances, you probably won’t be too surprised with how it plays out, but this one is more wholesome than most, mostly because the characters themselves are pretty wholesome excellent humans. That said, I’m not quite sure I buy the big confessional but, again, it’s what you do in a rockstar romance, and it makes for great cinematic-dramatic style romance so, hey, whatever man. The ending is also hella cheese but HEAs are what it’s all about and it’s literally in the title, so.

So, yeah, smooth sailing all the way through? Maybe not. I can’t quite decide if this was on par with THE FRIEND ZONE or if the former was a little better, but this was still a really fun read, with characters just zany enough for comic relief (Kristen), supportive found-family friends, swoony love, a heaping portion of emotions and feels, a DOG, and a big time second chance at love — not with the same guy, of course, but a second chance nonetheless.

This is definitely going to be a hit.

“The Happy Ever After Playlist” by Abby Jimenez is one of those books that checks off all the boxes for a fresh and romantic read: yummy book boyfriend, witty banter, a supportive best friend, angsty scenarios that resolve, an included rockstar and lovable pet, a friends to lovers premise, and emotional depth with laugh out loud moments.

Blurb: Sloan, who lost her fiancé, can’t seem to get her life in order. While still grieving the loss of her fiancé, a dog jumps into her car and changes her life forever.

Sloan looks everywhere for the owner of the dog and ends up developing a phone friendship with the notorious pet owner, who just so happens to be a rockstar.

The two develop deeper feelings, but can Sloan fall for someone who is constantly on the road and can her heart survive anymore heartbreak?

The first book by Abby Jimenez, “The Friend Zone,” was one of my favorite romance reads last year, so when I heard that Sloan was getting her happily ever after, I was immediately jumping up and down. I wanted so badly for Sloan to find happiness again.

This book gave me everything I was hoping for and more, including an epic kind of love and an angsty climax. Jason and Sloan are without a doubt one of the cutest romance book couples and I couldn’t be anymore pleased by this sweet and redemptive romance! An adorable and relishing read!

The first in this series was awesome and the follow up did not disappoint. I really enjoyed this story. Such lovely characters, can't wait to read more from this author.

I went into this so unsure, my expectations weren't super high because Sloan wasnt my favourite character from the Friend Zone, not even a close second and I loved Brandon so I was reluctant to see her with someone other than him, even though he had died and I knew she couldnt end up with him.
But I loved this book so much. It made me really love Sloan, something that was lacking for me from the first book. And Jason is a perfect guy for her to end up with, they just fit right together, which I didnt think the author would be able to do since, as i said, i loved brandon. I 100% recommend this.

The Happy Ever After Playlist is another 5 star read from Abby Jimenez. Abby knows how to give you all the possible feels and she does it so well. I finished the book last night and I'm still in awe. Sloan and Jason are amazing characters that make this story perfection!!

After I read Abby's first book 'The Friend Zone', I was so excited to read this book because she had a way of making a story so emotional, relatable, and exciting. And she did that with The Happy Ever After Playlist. She created a story that is heartbreaking and beautiful that grabs your attention within the first few pages.

The story follows Sloan and Jason who are two people from different worlds. Sloan is an artist who is still dealing with the pain and heartache of losing her husband. Jason is a musician who is turning into a rockstar after he lands a major deal where he is the featured artist on a movie soundtrack.

Sloan is used to being in her own little bubble. She has a best friend named Kristen who gets her through the good and the bad. Sloan is also used to not letting anyone else in because of her fear of losing another person she loves. On one of the hardest days of her life, a dog falls into her lap and her life changes. How can a dog change her life you may be asking? Well, that dog happens to be Jason's.

Jason and Sloan have a unique bond that is unexplainable. They start to develop a strong friendship even though they have never met. When they make plans to meet, they don't expect to fall in love.

I don't want to give too much away but this is a whirlwind romance full of passion, drama, emotions, and lovable dog!!

I give The Happy Ever After Playlist 5 stars. Abby Jimenez writes with her whole heart and it shows! Sloan and Jason are the best of characters I could hope for. I loved this whole story and can't wait to re-read it just so I can fall in love with the story all over again!!

Abby Jimenez is one of my favorite authors hands down! When I finished reading this book, I had to decide whether I loved The Friend Zone better than HEAP, and I think that Abby just keeps getting better and better. Both these books are my top reads for 2019 and now for 2020.

It has been two years since Brandon, Sloan’s fiancée dies of a tragic motorcycle accident from a drunk driver, and Sloan is still grieving the loss. Sloan has had no desire to do much of anything anymore and have lost her passion and have let her talents go to the wayside including taking care of herself. In an interesting turn of events, she runs into a dog named Tucker and ends up getting to know the owner, Jason.

Jason ends up being half way across the world and in the meantime, Sloan ends up taking care of Tucker and that is when their friendship developed through text messages first then phone calls. The way they met and how their friendship developed was absolutely brilliant. The progression was as natural as it can get and that is where Abby’s brilliance comes in - nothing cringy and everything heart fluttering and swoon worthy.
The second part of the story line is when Sloan discovers that Jason is a rising musician who just signed an incredible record and tour around the world. There will be plenty of romantic moments and equally as much of a challenging situation for a new couple navigating the recently found fame and popularity that will test their relationship and trust with each other.

chapter of the book lists a song that sets the mood for that chapter. I found myself listening to the songs first before. This book had me in all of my emotions. It tugged my heart strings, I shed a few tears, and most of all I was left with the satisfaction of the couple I was rooting for from the very beginning.

I highly recommend this book and give it all the marvelous stars and more.

Such a wonderful book! I loved everything about this! The perfect blend of heartwarming, funny, tension, and heartbreaking!!
Sloan and Jason were just perfect for each other. Of course they had to go through this amazing journey that had me at the edge of my seat until the end.
My one regret is that the cover doesn’t match the character description. Would it have been that difficult to add beard and tattoos?
I’m now going back to read The Friend Zone.

This follow-up to The Friend Zone was one I needed. You absolutely should read The Friend Zone first. This book gives you the chance to pick back up with the characters you came to love in the first book. Abby Jimenez again takes some serious and heavy subjects on but does it with humor and grace.
Thanks to Netgalley and Forever Publishing for the advanced readers copy.

This story about a young woman’s second chance at finding the love of her life is a wonderfully compelling blend of humor and heart. After two years of grieving the loss of her fiancée to a tragic accident, Sloan finally has a meet cute, but it’s with an adorable lost dog rather than a man. That dog’s human, Jason, turns out to be a sweet romantic hunk of a man who cares for his dog but has been out of town on an extended work trip, and has really bad judgment in dog sitters. The two start to connect on an elemental level over the series of phone calls and texts. By the time they meet in person, they’re already half way to falling crazy in love. The big catch is that he’s a famous musician who’s on the road for the indefinite future, and his lifestyle don’t allow for a proper relationship.

Figuring out how to navigate that situation and be together in a way that’s healthy for both of them despite the distractions and a myriad of hangers on threatening to pull them apart is the book’s real conflict. These aren’t the everyday issues most couples face. But if rock star romance is your thing or at least something you’re open to, The Happy Ever After Playlist is a great choice. It’s engrossing, original and sweet.

The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez takes place around two years after the events in The Friend Zone. Sloan is not herself, trying to figure out how to move on after her fiancé Brandon was killed in a tragic motorcycle accident. The universe continues to send her one challenge after another. A super awkward meet cute with her new pup Tucker is just the start for Sloan. Sloan is trying desperately to start this next chapter in her life.

Jason is a touring musician and he's livid to learn that his dog has been out roaming the streets of L.A. and not safely taken care of by the woman he left her with. He finally gets in contact with Sloan and the two enter a back and forth over whether Sloan will allow him to have his dog back. Slowly Jason starts to penetrate her walls and Sloan reluctantly agrees that when he comes back, they can co-chaperone Tucker on an outing and she'll decide whether he's worthy.

Jason returns to LA and instantly feels a connection to Sloan. Sloan isn't sure she can trust herself or if she should be feeling this strong attraction to Brandon's absence. Slowly Jason makes progress pushing his way into her head and her heart. Slowly, Sloan starts to wake from her morning and allow herself to enjoy time with Jason. Then Sloan discovers a secret about Jason and learns this blossoming new relationship may have an expiration date before it ever really gets started.

Jason and Sloan are amazing. Fantastic Chemistry and just great love. I loved this their story. I loved it even more than TFZ. Amazing banter between Jason and Sloan. Jason was so sweet and understanding and used his wit and charm to continue flustering her and sneak under her defenses. The story is so amazing, it fills your heart with all the feels. The story is big in understanding that life doesn’t happen on your schedule. That love is on its own time schedule. It also reminds us that sometimes you have to accept where you are before you can accept love at face value.
This book covers the trifecta of Rom Com, a hilarious Meet Cute, awesome banter, and a best friend who loves you but is also super quirky and the bonus of a dog!
Happily, Ever After Playlist is the must read of the spring. You will want to have this on your TBR List for sure! Do yourself a favor and preorder this today! Abby Jimenez is a rom-com goddess!

Special thanks to Read Forever for providing our copy of The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez in exchange for an honest & fair review.

I’ve been waiting to read The Happy Ever After Playlist since I finished The Friend Zone. Actually, that’s a lie.

I wanted to read The Happy Ever After Playlist as I was reading TFZ because this is the moment where I learned Abby wrote this book first! Once I knew more about Sloan, I had to read her story!

SAVOR THIS BOOK!
Estelle from Read Forever sent me a little note with the book encouraging me to savor this read. Well, I took her advice and I am glad I did. While I wanted to rip the pages apart and devour the book, I didn’t. I read it over about a week & really let the story settle.

Abby writes in such a binge-able manner. As soon as you read a few pages, you’ll want to do nothing else but live in her written world. Her characters are relatable, zany, wild, hilarious & memorable.

I feel like everyone has a thing for singer/songwriters, right? Maybe it’s just me. So when I found out Jason has a music career…cue the swooning. Songs, tours, performances, sooo good.

I also really like Sloane. She’s been through a LOT and Abby writes her in such a strong & favorable manner. She’s doing the best she can. Another thing I love is that Sloane & Jason COMMUNICATE. It’s an honest, vulnerable relationship from the very beginning. I connected so much with their love story.

THE VERDICT
Pre-order this book! Even if you don’t think you like romance, give this book a try. I have an idea with Abby is working on next and I’m ready!! All the stars!

THE FRIEND ZONE ended on a bittersweet note for me because I felt so deeply sad for Sloan and what had become of her world when her happily ever after was crushed. Abby Jimenez takes us back to Sloan's world in THE HAPPY EVER AFTER PLAYLIST and lets the reader experience equal parts grief and joy along with Sloan as she slowly decides to try again at unexpected happiness. I appreciated the rollercoaster of emotions in this book, which made Sloan's eventual happiness something to truly celebrate!

I loved Abby Jimenez's first book, and this book is right up there with it. She's not just a queen of cakes, she's also a gifted author that writes beautiful love stories and characters that you love. She makes you laugh, cry, wish you could slap some sense into her characters, and then hug it all out in the end. Her books read like great rom-com screenplays.

We first met Sloan in The Friend Zone, as Brandon's fiancee and Kristen's best friend. She was happily in love, and then tragedy struck and she lost her fiance. It's been nearly two years, and Sloan is still just existing, not living. Fate has decided that she's had enough time to grieve and wallow, and it's time for her to start living again. Enter Tucker, a lost dog that forces Sloan out of her house and out of humdrum existence. Sloan has a goal each day, taking care of Tucker and reuniting him with his owner, Jason, a musician currently on tour. Sloan agrees to care for tucker, and keep Jason posted on his beloved pup.

Text conversations turn into phone calls and then into friendship, and then Sloan has to decide if she's ready to try for love again. Jason has to decide if he feels he can handle a real relationship while his music career is on the rise. Growing fame and lingering grief are tremendous obstacles to overcome on the way to building a true and lasting relationship.

Remember me screaming about my love for The Friend Zone?  Well this book takes place after that one... it can definitely be read as a standalone book but honestly... why would you ever skip The Friend Zone?

My blurb:
An amazing grieving girl falls for a famous world traveling boy...before she realizes she would have to travel all of the time too.

4.5 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5 steam level

What I really liked:
I loved this story! I read it really quickly... like in two sittings.  It had me hooked! I loved the love story and meet cute!  Revisiting Josh and Kristen from The Friend Zone added so much to the story!  The best part of this book was easily how in love Sloan and Jason were.  I kept thinking that the whole time I was reading it!  I think a lot of people who may not have bonded with Kristen as much in TFZ will love Sloan.  Jimenez wrote both characters really well and their personalities are so different from one another - I could just see a lot of people being #teamsloan.  I loved the closeness of Jason and his family in this book- that was a big highlight for me.  I hope to even see more glimpses of the family in future books!  (Hey, it's a three book deal! Maybe book three will be about his family!)

What I didn't like:
I think one takeaway from this book could be that the main couple was codependent.  It might be a turn off for some readers.  This was easily my favorite rockstar romance that I've ever read- in general that trope really doesn't hit home for me.  With that being said- there were still moments in this book that I wanted to hurry the rockstar drama along. 
There was a bit of mystery (strong word here... more like a plot point that is revealed later on in the story) regarding a character named Lola and I solved that really easily and early on.  It didn't take away from the storyline per say - but I felt it should be noted.  Overall this book had high drama.  I didn't love this aspect of it, but I adored the love story so much that it was able to drive the story home for me and still had me adoring this book.

While reading this book you should:
Do: Go through a car wash
Do: Make a new playlist!
Listen to: ...well the entire playlist that the author includes at the back of the book. but if you're too lazy to flip there I'll include one song... Keep Your Head Up by Ben Howard
Eat: A cupcake. And if you're close to Nadia's cupcakes - go there! (The author owns that bakery!)


Happy Reading,
Dux

Two years after her beloved fiance's death, Sloan is still recovering from the devastating loss. Her desire to make art has slowly come back to her, and just in time, because her house is beginning to fall apart. On her way to her fiance’s grave, the totally unexpected happens: a dog jumps into her car through her sunroof. After trying for weeks to contact his owner with no response, Sloan decides to keep the dog. When the dog’s owner finally contacts her, she reluctantly agrees to let him take his dog back when he comes back to the country in a few weeks. Through constant texts and phone calls, Jason and Sloane start to get to know each other and even develop a connection deeper than friendship. Jason is a big name musician who is going on tour, and Sloane isn’t sure she can take being separated from her significant other again, so they must work together to come up with a solution so they can try to stay together.

Two years ago, Sloan’s fiancé died suddenly in a motorcycle accident, and Sloan has been depressed ever since. But when a dog abruptly enters her life, things start looking up. Jason is a musician on the cusp of stardom. After a two-week backpacking trip, Jason is surprised to find a barrage of voicemails from a stranger on his phone. He immediately calls her back, but she’s already in love with the dog, and he’s still stuck in Australia for a gig for a while longer. And so Sloan manages to keep Tucker the dog for a while longer in exchange for daily and flirty phone convos— and a date with Jason upon his return to LA. Finally back in the States, Jason and Sloan quickly and fully fall for one another. The problem: Jason has bit the big time and is leaving for 14 months for an international tour. Can their relationship handle the stress of celebrity, long-distance, and tabloid conjectures?

The titles bugs me. The grammar is wrong, and I was tempted to knock down to two stars just for perpetuating adverb abuse. It should be The HappILY Ever After Playlist.

The focus on how beautiful Sloan is hurt the amount of sympathy I had for her / my ability to identify with her as the protagonist. It was annoying how often it seemed to come up, especially considering how unimportant it was to the story as a whole.

The emotional high of the first half was freaking awesome. And then the conflict came, and it seemed too much like Jimenez was trying too hard to manufacture conflict for moving the story structurally forward. Sloan getting upset about the Lola/red carpet happenstance was blown way out of proportion. Like, how could Jason tell what happened before others did when she was already asleep when he came home after the party at 2am!?